Mobile phone in Europe

Terri, Using your AT&T iPhone 4 with an international roaming plan is probably the easiest solution, and should be reasonably cost effective since you plan to use texts most of the time. You'll have to check with AT&T regarding the rates and roaming plans. Based on comments from others here, I believe you can cancel the roaming plans when you return home. Since your iPhone is probably "locked", that limits your options to some extent. Regarding your Son's Japanese iPhone, I'm not sure that it will even work in Europe?? Japanese cellular networks typically use variations of CMDA technology, which is not compatible with the GSM system used in Europe (and about 85% of the rest of the world). Depending on which model of iPhone your Son is using, it's possible it could also work in GSM areas. Does your Son's iPhone even have a "bay" for a SIM card??? One VERY IMPORTANT point to mention - With your iPhone, BE VERY SURE that you understand the data roaming issues, so that you don't return to a HUGE bill. It would be a good idea to switch-off the cellular data section of the iPhone and just use Wi-Fi to access the net. AT&T may offer a data roaming plan that provides some limited access, so if you want that capability you'll have to check with them. You may find that it will be fairly easy to use your iPhone in Europe, but you may have to buy a basic travel phone for your Son. You could either buy one when you arrive in Europe, or from one of the travel phone firms such as Roam Simple, Cellular Abroad, Call In Europe, Telestial or Mobal. Happy travels!

My sister and I are backpacking Europe in the months of May and June. We decided to go with the cheapest international messaging plan from ATT ($10 per month for 50 international texts) to communicate with family back home. We are using Skype and pay phones for phone conversations. Honestly, getting a more expensive plan will likely be a huge rip off unless you are going to talk on the phone a bunch (doesn't seem like you are).
My ATT service woman told me yesterday that I can use my phone with that $10 international plan without incurring roaming fees as long as I go to the General menu on my Iphone, click on Network and turn off three things: 1) Cellular Data 2)Data Roaming 3)Enable 3G Make sure the countries you are visiting are covered in your international plan. (they have a list of all covered countries on ATT website)Hope this helps!

Thanks for the advice. All the details are overwhelming as the time draws near! Sounds like I can use my ATT iphone and can maybe buy a cheap phone once we get there to keep in touch with my sons... They prefer texting to talking anyway, so that will be cheaper.

If your mobile/cell phone is from AT&T in the USA, AT&T has an "AT&T World Traveler" voice and data package that you can buy before you go. The voice package is $5.99 per month and the iPhone data packages start at $24.99 for 50MB and go up from there. There is also a texting package for about $10.00 for 50 outgoing text/picture messages (all incoming messages are free, just like when you are in the USA). Go to AT&T's website and type "World Traveler" in the search box, or log into your account and go to the features on your plan and you can add this. It allows you to add it for just the month you will be traveling, then remove it when you get back.

Terri... its really quite easy and I am not a techno... go to an AT&T store and have them add the international texting. Its $10 for 50 outgoing (you do not pay for incoming) Then, get the temporary plan put on for the international calls to get a little lower rate.
Either way, when you land in Europe if you have your phone you will pay for data roaming unless you have turned that off. You need to follow the steps above to avoid those huge charges. Just make a cheat sheet of what you need to do (3 steps) just before you get on the plane. Then, you just use your phone as normal. I have done it this way lots of times and it is reasonable, easy and convenient. And, its your own phone and you know how to use it.

im so confused about at&t. i think the majority of cell phone owners own smart phones and i never know what applies to me (i have a flip phone) and what doesnt. i was told by my at&t store that i can absolutely leave my phone turned on the entire time and not be charged for roaming. i am not sure if she was just wrong, or if the roaming thing is smart phone specific. anyway - back to the original question - being that i have a flip phone, i can help by telling you that you can buy a basic unlocked cell phone on ebay for under $20. then you can pay the $5.95 for international and have it all set up and ready to go before you leave, rather than buying one there.

Jennifer.... if you are not getting emails on your phone (smartphones) then the data roaming does not apply to you. AT&T is correct... you will only be charged for phone calls or the text plan if you can get it with your phone.
I just want to carry my own phone that I know how to use and not learn a new one.

terry kathryn - thank you so much.